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Addresses  In  Senate  and  House  of 
Representatives  in  Conn.  -  in 
Honor  of  Charles  L.  Russell 


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ADDRESSES, 


DELIVERED  IN"  TIM 


SENATE  AND  HOUSE  OF  KEPBESEKTATIVES 


OF  CONNECTICUT, 


IN  HONOR  OF 


COLONEL  CHAELES  L.  RUSSELL. 


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NEW  HAVEN : 

BABCOCK    &    Sjjj&ER,    STATE   PRINTERS. 


%    1862. 


ADDRESSES, 


DELIVERED  IN  THE 


SENATE  AND  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES 

OF  CONNECTICUT, 


IN  HONOR  OF 


COLOIEL  CHARLES  L.  RUSSELL. 


|5riititb  b{r  drbcr  of  lljc  General  §tssemblg. 


NEW  HAVEN : 

BABCOCK   &    SIZER,   STATE    PRINTERS. 

1862. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2013 


http://archive.org/details/addressesdeliverOOconn 


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STATE  OF  CONNECTICUT, 

Executive  Department  : 

New  Haven,  May  Vzth,  1862. 

To  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives, 
in  General  Assembly  convened: 

Col.  Charles  L.  Russell,  of  the  Tenth  Regiment,  Connecti- 
cut Volunteers,  was  killed  in  a  battle  between  the  Union 
troops  and  the  rebel  forces,  at  Roanoke  Island,  North  Caro- 
lina, on  the  eighth  day  of  February,  1S62.  In  the  hour  of 
peril  to  our  Government,  Col.  Russell  promptly  responded  to 
the  call  for  volunteers,  gave  himself  earnestly  to  his  duty,  was 
a  true  and  disinterested  patriot,  a  bold  and  fearless  soldier,  an 
unassuming  and  able  officer,  and  fell  at  the  head  of  his  Regi- 
ment, while  leading  them  to  victory. 

His  bereaved  wife  tenders  the  State  his  sword,  worn  at  the 
time  of  his  death,  which  I  herewith  present,  to  be  disposed  of 
in  such  a  manner  as  you  shall  direct. 

WILLIAM  A.  BUCKINGHAM. 


ADDRESSES 


IX   HONOR    OF 


COLONEL   CHARLES   L   RUSSELL. 


IN  THE  SENATE  OF  CONNECTICUT, 
Thursday,  June  19,  1862. 


EULOGIES. 


Hon.  Me.  Calhoun  called  for  the  special  order  of  the  day, 
the  same  being  the  report  of  the  Joint  Select  Committee  on 
the  Message  of  His  Excellency  the  Governor,  transmitting  the 
sword  of  Colonel  Chaeles  L.  Russell,  said  committee  recom- 
mending the  passage  of  a  series  of  resolutions,  as  follows : 

General  Assembly, 

May  Session,  1862. 

Whereas,  The  sword  of  the  late  Colonel  Charles  L.  Russell, 
of  the  Tenth  Regiment,  Connecticut  Volunteers,  who  was 
killed  in  the  battle  of  Roanoke  Island,  February  8th,  1862, 
has  been  tendered  to  the  State  by  his  widow,  and  is  now  at 
the  disposal  of  this  General  Assembly,  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  in  behalf  of  the  State,  this  Assembly  gladly 
accept  the  gift  thus  generously  and  thoughtfully  offered,  and 
receive  it  as  a  fitting  and  precious  memorial  of  one  of  Connec- 
ticut's most  noble  and  worthy  sons ;  of  one  who,  as  a  citizen 
in  the  hour  of  peace,  was  an  example  of  elevated  sentiment, 


6  OBITUARY    ADDRESSES. 


social  benevolence,  and  Christian  virtue;  as  a  soldier  in  time 
of  war,  of  modest,  yet  steady  and  dauntless  courage ;  who, 
prompted  by  an  ardent,  absorbing,  and  unselfish  patriotism,  at 
the  first  call  of  his  Government  for  assistance  from  dangers 
threatened  by  traitor  hosts,  gave  himself  promptly  and  freely 
for  its  defense ;  who  was  a  bold  and  faithful  volunteer  in  the 
cause  of  the  nation ;  an  efficient,  skillful,  and  beloved  com- 
mander, and  who  finally  exhibited  the  highest  evidence  of 
patriotic  self-devotion  by  yielding  his  life  for  his  country  on 
the  field  of  battle,  in  the  face  of  her  foes,  and  at  the  very 
dawn  of  the  glorious  victory  which  his  own  heroism,  and  that 
of  the  gallant  regiment  which  he  led,  did  so  much  to  achieve. 

Resolved,  That  this  Assembly  tender  to  the  widow  and 
family  of  the  lamented  Colonel  Russell,  deep  sympathy  in 
their  bereavement,  and  trust  that  the  memory  of  the  virtues 
of  the  deceased  husband  and  father,  and  the  knowledge  of  the 
glorious  name  he  has  left  behind,  and  of  the  gratitude  felt  by 
his  State  and  his  country  for  his  noble  and  valiant  services, 
may  prove  some  consolation  to  them  in  their  hour  of  affliction. 

Resolved,  That  the  sword  of  Colonel  Russell  be  deposited, 
under  the  direction  of  the  Governor,  in  the  room  of  the  Con- 
necticut Historical  Society  at  Hartford  ;  that  these  resolutions 
be  entered  at  large  on  the  Journals  of  the  Senate  and  House 
of  Representatives,  and  that  His  Excellency,  Governor  Buck- 
ingham, be  requested  to  forward  to  the  widow  of  the  deceased 
officer  an  attested  copy  of  the  same. 

The  question  being  upon  the  passage  of  the  resolutions,  Hon. 
Mr.  Calhoun,  Senator  from  the  Second  District,  spoke  as 
follows : 

ADDRESS  OP  SENATOR  CALH0UE 

Mr.  President: — A  generous  people  will  ever  delight  to 
honor  those  who  have  deserved  well  of  their  country,  and  a 
cheerful  recognition  of  distinguished  public  services  by  those 
for  whom  they  have  been  rendered  is  always  as  honorable  as 
the  refusal  of  it  is  unjust  and  disgraceful.     It  is,  moreover,  pol- 


COL.    CHARLES    L.    RUSSELL. 


itic ;  for  while  popular  gratitude  is  one  of  the  sweetest  re- 
wards of,  and  therefore  one  of  the  strongest  incentives  to  noble 
deeds,  that  philanthropy  is  rare  indeed,  which,  in  spite  of  neg- 
lect, ingratitude  and  contempt,  will  yet  toil  on  for  the  welfare 
of  others. 

Sir,  absorbed  as  we  are  in  the  public  and  private  duties  of  civil 
life, — so  far  removed  from  the  storm  of  war  which  is  now  burst- 
ing over  a  large  part  of  our  devoted  country,  that  we  hear  not 
its  faintest  muttering, — I  much  fear  that  we  are  too  forgetful 
of  those  gallant  spirits  who  are  breasting  its  fiery  peltings  and 
are  marching  to  death  as  to  a  bridal  feast,  that  their  country 
may  be  saved.  We  read  of  battles  and  bombardments,  of  ad- 
vances and  retreats,  described  in  the  smooth,  attractive  style  of 
newspaper  correspondents,  and  occasionally  we  meet  in  the 
street  an  empty  sleeve,  or  a  fever  blanched  face ;  but  how  little 
do  we  realize  that  in  our  own  land  there  is  now  raging  the 
most  desperate  and  tremendous  of  conflicts — that  more  than  ten 
thousand  sons  of  Connecticut  are  braving  all  its  horrors,  and 
that  every  interest  and  every  institution  which  we  hold  dear  is 
hanging  on  its  result !  We  need  something  to  remind  us  of 
our  country's  condition,  and  of  the  heroic  labors  and  sacrifices 
of  her  brave  defenders ;  and  I  trust  that  the  hour  which  may 
be  spent  by  the  Senate  this  morning  in  doing  honor  to  the 
memory  of  a  gallant  officer,  who  has  fallen  in  defense  of  his 
flag  and  his  Government,  will  not  be  coveted.  It  will  be  a  de- 
served tribute  to  the  virtues  of  him  who  is  no  more,  and  to  his 
brave  companions  in  arms,  who  are  still  fighting  the  battles  of 
the  nation. 

Colonel  Charles  L.  Russell  was  a  native  of  Connecticut,  born, 
I  believe,  in  Litchfield  county,  in  the  year  1828.  At  an  early 
age  he  removed  with  his  parents  to  the  town  of  Derby,  which 
at  the  time  of  his  death  was  his  home,  and  is  now  the  residence 
of  his  bereaved  family.  Of  his  character  in  private  life  I  need 
only  say  that  he  joined  a  modest  deportment  with  unusual  en- 
ergy and  perseverance ;  he  was  always  ready  in  every  work  of 
private  or  public  benevolence ;  his  reputation  as  a  man  and  a 
Christian  was  unblemished  ;  honorable  in  every  emotion,  he 


OBITUARY   ADDRESSES. 

was  incapable  of  an  unworthy  act,  and  by  whomsoever  known 
he  was  respected  and  beloved.  His  attachment  to  his  Govern- 
ment was  deep  and  absorbing.  In  that  magnificent  and  un- 
paralleled uprising  of  the  freemen  of  the  North  for  the  salva- 
tion of  the  country,  after  the  fall  of  Sumpter,  he  was  among  the 
first  and  most  ardent.  Indeed,  I  am  informed,  that  previous 
to  the  commencement  of  hostilities,  he  had  been  so  impressed 
with  a  conviction  of  impending  danger  as  to  offer  to  the  Gov- 
ernment to  lead  a  company  of  sixty  men  to  the  protection  of 
the  National  Capital.  The  offer  was  declined,  but  it  showed 
his  heart  and  his  foresight.  He  joined  the  Second  Regiment, 
Connecticut  Volunteers,  organized  under  Colonel  Terry  in  this 
city,  and  in  consideration  of  his  known  ability,  and  long  con- 
nection with  the  militia  of  the  State,  was  appointed  Adjutant. 
He  remained  with  his  regiment,  while  it  was  in  service,  dis- 
charging his  duties  as  a  soldier  with  energy  and  fidelity — was 
engaged  in  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  and  out  of  that  scene  of  dis- 
aster and  disgrace  came  forth  with  honor,  receiving  a  favorable 
notice  for  coolness  and  bravery  from  Colonel,  now  General 
Ke}Tes,  the  commander  of  his  division. 

After  the  Second  Regiment  had  been  mustered  out  of  service, 
he  returned  home,  but  his  zeal  for  his  country's  cause  would 
not  suffer  him  to  remain  long  away  from  the  field  of  conflict. 
He  assisted  in  raising  a  company,  and  with  it  joined  the  Eighth 
Regiment,  mustering  in  this  city.  While  here,  occupying  the 
post  of  Captain,  he  was  tendered  the  position  of  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  of  the  Tenth  Regiment,  then  forming  at  Hartford. 
His  company  were  deeply  attached  to  him,  and  manifested  so 
much  feeling  at  the  prospect  of  losing  their  beloved  com- 
mander, even  offering  to  make  up  to  him  from  their  own 
pockets  the  difference  between  the  pay  of  a  Captain  and  that  of 
a  Lieutenant-Colonel,  that  he  hesitated,  and  would  probably 
have  declined  the  position,  had  not  the  obstacle  been  removed 
by  a  transfer  of  his  company  from  the  Eighth  to  the  Tenth 
Regiment,  of  which  latter  regiment  he  was  appointed  Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel, and  shortly  afterward  Colonel.  While  at  its 
head,  he  brought  his  regiment  to  a  high  state  of  discipline ; 


COL.    CHAELES    L.    KLTSSELL.  9 


and  better  still,  he  did  much  both  by  precept  and  example,  to 
elevate  the  moral  character  of  his  men,  teaching  them  to  re- 
spect themselves ;  to  refrain  from  those  excesses  so  often 
indulged  in  by  soldiers ;  and  thus  under  his  command  the 
Tenth  Regiment  became  so  excellent  in  drill,  so  sober  in 
camps,  and  so  steady  and  courageous  in  the  field,  as  to  win  uni- 
versal admiration.  With  his  regiment  he  was  attached  to  the 
expedition  under  General  Burnside,  and  took  a  conspicuous 
part  in  the  battle  on  Roanoke  Island,  February  S,  1862.  He 
nobly  led  his  men  to  the  attack  on  the  entrenchments  of  the 
enemy.  When  the  Twenty-fifth  Massachusetts  Kegiment  had 
fallen  back  from  the  murderous  fire  of  the  rebels,  their  position 
in  front  of  the  hostile  battery  was  occupied  by  the  Tenth 
Connecticut,  who  so  unflinchingly  bore  the  iron  storm  of  death 
which  poured  upon  them  for  hours,  that  their  foes  themselves 
wondered,  and  concluded  that  they  were  regular  troops.  It 
was  here  that  the  noble  soldier  met  his  death.  His  regiment 
were  ordered  to  lie  down  to  avoid  exposure ;  but  Colonel  Rus. 
sell,  who  knew  no  fear,  maintained  his  erect  position,  until, 
urged  by  his  officers,  who  perceived  him  to  be  a  mark  for  the 
sharpshooters  of  the  enemy,  he  half  reclined  on  the  ground, 
and  lay  supported  on  his  arm,  watching  the  progress  of  the 
fight.  While  in  this  position,  a  rifle  ball  struck  his  right 
shoulder,  passing  down  into  his  body,  and  he  fell  dead  without 
a  word,  or  a  groan,  or  the  loss  of  a  drop  of  blood. 

This,  Sir,  is  a  brief  sketch  of  the  life  and  services  of  Colonel 
Russell,  the  first  of  our  Connecticut  Colonels  who,  in  the 
present  war,  has  fallen  on  the  field  of  battle.  I  am  ready,  yea, 
proud  to  acknowledge,  that  in  this  terrible  contest  between 
loyalty  and  treason,  many  a  one  has  achieved  more  for  the 
country  than  did  he — but  it  was  on  account  of  superior  oppor- 
tunity ;  not  from  a  more  ardent  desire ;  for  no  one  of  all  the 
hundreds  of  thousands  who  have  filled  the  armies  of  the  nation, 
has  shown  a  more  sturdy  courage,  or  a  more  disinterested  pa- 
triotism, than  did  Colonel  Russell.  Without  a  reservation  or 
a  selfish  motive,  he  gave  himself  to  the  cause  of  his  native 
country — he  served  her  while  he  lived,  and  died  nobly  fight- 


10  OBITUARY    ADDRESSES. 


ing  in  her  defense.  He  crowned  a  worthy  life  with  a  heroic 
death. 

And  now,  Sir,  in  behalf  of  this  State,  let  lis  receive  this 
sword,  thus  tendered  by  the  hand  of  sorrowing  affection  ;  let  us 
receive  it  gladly,  as  a  precious  memorial  of  one  of  Connecticut's 
most  noble  sons.  The  resolutions  propose  that  it  shall  be  de- 
posited with  the  Connecticut  Historical  Society  at  Hartford. 
There  let  it  be  placed,  with  the  tavern  sign  of  Putnam,  the 
pierced  garments  of  Ledyard,  the  swords  of  Ward  and  of  Lyon, 
and  other  relics  of  our  departed  heroes,  and  there  let  it  remain 
an  object  of  interest  to  each  one  who  can  appreciate  true  no- 
bility of  soul,  dauntless  courage,  and  a  lofty  patriotism ;  while  he 
who  so  gallantly  carried  it  to  battle  and  to  death  sleeps  quietly 
in  the  bosom  of  his  native  State,  which  he  so  highly  honored. 

And  now,  Mr.  President,  shall  we  not  learn  a  lesson  from 
this  day's  reflections  ? — a  lesson  which  shall  make  us  better 
patriots  and  kindle  anew  our  devotion  to  our  country.  This 
war  has  come  upon  us  for  errors — for  our  sins.  It  will  be  to 
the  American  people  and  government  either  a  war  of  purifica- 
tion or  of  destruction  ;  and  it  is  for  us  to  decide  which  it  shall 
be.  It  will  not  cease,  it  cannot  cease,  I  would  almost  say,  it 
ought  not  to  cease,  till  as  a  people  we  have  exhibited  that  for- 
titude and  self-denial  and  invincible  determination  to  conquer, 
which  the  perils  of  our  condition  demand; — till  we  have  learned 
to  prize  higher  the  invaluable  gift  of  constitutional  liberty — 
till  we  have  gained  a  deeper  insight  into  the  grand  principles 
which  underlie  our  free  government — till  we  have  ceased  to 
grasp  so  eagerly  after  mere  material  prosperity  and  regard 
more  sacredly  the  dearest  rights  of  man — -till  valor  and  energy 
have  taken  the  place  of  effeminacy,  and  honesty  the  place  of 
corruption,  and  the  virtues  of  our  ancestors  are  revived  in  us, 
their  posterity.  How  little,  as  yet,  have  we  done  and  suffered 
in  support  of  our  glorious  cause,  compared  with  the  efforts  and 
self  denials  of  its  enemies  !  And  it  is  yet  an  untried,  and  per- 
haps doubtful  question,  whether  we  have  the  virtue  to  endure 
in  behalf  of  our  own  free  government  what  our  rebellious  foes 
have  already  undergone  in  the  service  of  despotism.     But  be 


COL.    CHARLES    L.    RUSSELL.  11 


this  as  it  may,  if  we  can  contemplate  such  an  instance  of  gene- 
rous devotion  to  the  cause  of  liberty,  as  he  manifested  whose 
manly  hand  once  grasped  that  sword,  without  experiencing  a 
fresh  glow  of  patriotic  emotion,  and  without  renewing  on  the 
altar  of  our  country  our  vows  of  unfaltering  adherence  to  her 
fortunes,  we  shall  verily  be  unworthy  of  the  heroic  efforts  of 
the  gallant  defenders  of  our  rights,  and  unfit  to  enjoy  again 
the  blessings  of  peace  with  a  restored  Union  and  an  established 
Government. 

ADDKESS  OP  SENATOR  BENJAMIN. 
Senator  Benjamin,  of  the  Tenth  District,  spoke  as  follows  : 

Mr.  President  : — When  the  war  for  the  suppression  of  the 
present  great  rebellion  commenced,  among  the  many  embar- 
rassments and  apprehensions  that  distracted  the  public  mind, 
was  the  question  whether  we  had  the  most  essential  ingredi- 
ent in  the  nation  to  meet  the  terrible  crisis  that  was  upon  us  ; 
whether  the  heroic  element  of  society  had  survived  a  half  cen- 
tury of  almost  uninterrupted  peace.  The  great  body  of  our 
countrymen  were  totally  ignorant  of  the  art  of  war ;  and  the 
moral  teaching  of  the  age — in  its  dream  of  human  perfectabili- 
ty — had  seemed  of  late  years  to  tend  against  the  dread  arbitra- 
ment of  the  sword. 

But  our  anxiety  on  this  behalf  was  of  short  duration,  for  it 
soon  became  palpable  to  every  patriotic  mind  that  we  were  on 
the  eve  of  one  of 

"  The  great  wars  that  make  ambition  virtue." 

Then  rose  the  wild  and  multitudinous  shout,  proclaiming  that 
the  heroism  of  the  Republic  was  not  dead,  but  only  slept,  till 
the  hour  should  come  for  its  waking  ;  it  was  not  dead,  nor  was 
it  dwarfed  by  the  long  reign  of  peace  and  commerce,  but  it  was 
found  to  be  full  grown  and  armed,  and  equal  to  this  unparal- 
leled conflict  for  truth,  for  freedom  and  mankind. 

Legions  of  brave  spirits  sprang  to  arms,  and  most  trium- 
phantly has  the  time  vindicated  the  age  from  the  unworthy 
suspicion  of  its  degeneracy. 


12  OBITTTAKY   ADDRESSES. 


How  many  of  these  noble  and  true  men  have  gone  forth 
with  their  lives  in  their  hands  and  laid  them  upon  the  altar  of 
their  country  ! 

Mr.  President,  I  had  no  personal  acquaintance  with  Colonel 
Russell ;  I  have  never  even  seen  him ;  but  I  learn  by  abun- 
dant testimony,  from  the  highest  sources,  that  he  possessed,  to 
a  remarkable  degree,  those  peculiar  traits  of  character  which 
distinguish  the  heroic  soul. 

Modest  and  self-sacrilicing,  courageous  and  pure  in  his  devo- 
tion to  his  country,  he  fell,  at  the  moment  of  victory,  in  the 
fore  front  of  the  battle. 

And  it  was  for  us  and  for  our  children,  and  their  great  her- 
itage of  freedom,  that  this  man  laid  down  his  life. 

But  there  is  to  me  something  inexpressibly  touching  in  the 
tender  of  this  gift  from  the  surviving  partner  of  the  hearth  and 
home  of  this  dead  hero.  She  rightly  judged  that  the  State 
would  desire  to  hold  and  venerate  this  memorial  of  him.  It  is 
a  fitting  termination  of  the  part  assigned  to  her  in  this  sad 
drama.  First,  her  husband,  then  his  sword,  to  complete  the 
offering  of  her  great  sacrifice  ! 

Mr.  President,  no  power  that  we  possess  can  make  restitu- 
tion for  the  countless  sum  of  her  bereavement ;  but  let  us  sol- 
emnly convey  to  her  the  expression  of  our  most  earnest  sym- 
pathy, and  the  profound  and  perpetual  gratitude  of  the  State. 

ADDEESS  OP  SENATOE  GOODWIN. 

Mr.  Goodwin,  of  the  Fifteenth  District,  spoke  as  follows : 

Me.  President  : — I  had  not  assigned  to  myself  the  right  or 
duty  of  occupying  the  time  or  attention  of  the  Senate,  for  a 
single  moment,  in  remarks  upon  the  very  pertinent  resolutions 
reported  by  the  Joint  Select  Committee,  raised  upon  the  mes- 
sage of  His  Excellency  the  Governor,  transmitting  to  us  the 
sword  of  the  late  Colonel  Pussell,  until  I  ascertained  that  he  was 
a  native  of  Litchfield  county ;  for  I  felt  that  this  whole  matter 
was  entrusted  to  more  able  hands  ;  to  those  who  would  do  the 
deceased  patriot  and  hero  full  justice  upon  this  occasion. 


COL.    CHARLES    L.    RUSSELL.  13 


When  I  found  that  the  owner  of  this  sword  which  now  lies 
before  us,  had  his  origin  in  my  own  native  Litchfield  county, 
I  felt  impelled  to  say  something  in  relation  to  the  resolutions 
reported  by  the  committee. 

Col.  Charles  Lambert  Russell  was  born  July  25th,  1828, 
in  the  town  of  Litchfield,  in  the  parish  of  Northfield.  At  a 
very  early  age  he  removed  with  his  father's  family  to  the  vil- 
lage of  "Westville,  in  the  town  of  New  Haven,  where  he  resided 
till  about  the  age  of  ten  years,  when  he  removed  to  the  town 
of  Derby,  which  was  ever  after  his  home.  At  the  age  of  sev- 
enteen he  commenced  his  mechanical  career,  and  continued  his 
occupation,  as  a  faithful  and  industrious  citizen,  till  the  break- 
ing out  of  the  war. 

He  was  early  in  life  impressed  with  a  high  military  spirit, 
and  at  the  age  of  seventeen  became  an  enlisted  soldier  in  a  mil- 
itary company  in  his  own  town ;  in  which  he  honorably  served 
in  every  capacity,  from  a  private  to  the  post  of  Adjutant  of  the 
regiment  to  which  his  company  belonged,  and  occupying  this 
position  the  war  found  him ;  and  as  such  he  was  commission- 
ed and  attached  to  the  Second  Regiment,  Connecticut  Vol- 
unteers, for  the  three  months  campaign,  in  which  he  served 
honorably  and  bravely. 

After  the  expiration  of  this  term  of  service,  seeing  and  feel- 
ing the  magnitude  and  the  atrocity  of  the  rebellion,  his  love  of 
country,  his  strong  desire  to  aid  in  sustaining  the  Government, 
his  military  zeal  and  ardor,  induced  him  to  enlist  for  the  war, 
and  he  was  commissioned  a  Captain,  and  soon  after  promoted 
to  a  Lieutenant-Colonelcy  of  the  Tenth  Regiment,  Connecticut 
Volunteers,  and  very  soon  to  that  of  Colonel.  Thenceforward 
his  history  is  well  known ;  it  is  a  part  of  the  history  of  our 
country,  written  as  with  the  point  of  a  diamond ;  made  and 
developed  more  rapidly  in  the  last  twelve  months  than  in  an 
entire  generation  before. 

In  his  private  life,  those  who  best  knew  him,  best  loved  him ; 
as  a  husband  and  father,  kind  and  tender ;  of  modest  and  reti- 
ring disposition,  generous  to  a  fault,  and  proverbial  for  his  up- 
rightness and  purity  of  conduct.    As  a  member  of  various  moral 


14  OBITUAEY    ADDRESSES. 


organizations,  lie  was  honored  and  beloved;  and  as  an  artisan, 
he  was  master  of  his  business,  and  industrious  in  his  calling. 

During  the  political  campaign  of  1860,  in  Avhich  he  took  an 
active  part,  his  language  to  a  friend  in  relation  to  the  next  cam- 
paign was  :  "  before  that  time  our  land  will  run  with  blood." 
The  declaration  has  proved  true,  and  the  man,  the  patriot  and 
the  hero,  has  fallen  upon  the  field  of  strife  and  blood,  in  the 
defense  of  his  country. 

Colonel  Russell,  in  1851,  married  Miss  Ann  Eliza  Mitchell, 
of  Huntington,  Connecticut,  and  three  children  have  been  born 
to  them,  of  whom  two  now  survive.  His  father,  Samuel  S. 
Russell,  now  sixty-two  years  of  age,  is  in  the  service  as  a  mu- 
sician in  the  Sixth  Regiment,  Connecticut  Volunteers.  One 
brother  is  a  member  of  the  Regimental  Band  in  the  Tenth 
Regiment,  Connecticut  Volunteers,  and  still  another  brother 
was  a  Captain  of  Company  D,  Second  Regiment,  Connecticut 
Volunteers,  at  Bull  Run.  One  sister  is  still  living  in  Birming- 
ham, in  the  town  of  Derby. 

In  all  that  ennobles  and  dignifies  manhood,  Colonel  Russell 
had  no  superior.     No  one  had  occasion  or  cause  to  speak  ill  of 
his  good  name  ;  he  died  as  he  lived,  "  an  honest  man,  the  no- 
blest work  of  God." 

Proud  of  his  business,  proud  of  the  name  of  a  New  England 
mechanic,  he  by  his  general  deportment  and  gallant  conduct, 
illustrated  in  a  heroic,  patriotic  manner,  the  duties  which  be- 
long to  and  devolve  upon  an  American  citizen. 

I  approve,  Sir,  of  these  resolutions ;  I  endorse  their  every 
sentiment.  This  sword,  although  the  arm  that  once  wielded  it 
is  now  paralyzed — although  he  that  gave  potency  to  its  blade, 
has  passed  away — although  the  clods  of  the  valley  cover  his  re- 
pose— still  it  will  ever  be,  and  remain,  a  fit  memento  of  the 
man.  And  when,  in  all  future  time,  it  shall  be  looked  upon, 
in  the  archives  of  the  Historical  Society,  it  will  bring  to  mind 
one  of  our  noblest  sons,  who  fell  upon  the  sanguinary  battle- 
field, in  the  cause  of  his  country  ;  fell,  bravely  fell,  amidst  the 
roar  of  cannon,  the  din  of  musketry,  and  clash  of  arms. 


COL.    CHARLES   L.    KUSSELL.  15 


ADDRESS  OF  SENATOR  WRIGHT. 

Senator  Wright,  of  the  Nineteenth  District,  said  : 

Mr.  President  : — After  what  has  been  so  well  said  here,  I 
would  not  attempt  even  a  word,  but  for  the  fact  that  ray  si- 
lence might  be  taken  as  evidence  of  indifference,  and  that  the 
idea  might  obtain  that  loyalty  and  patriotism  in  the  district 
which  I  have  the  honor  to  represent,  are  at  a  low  ebb.  It  is 
with  a  view  of  correcting  any  such  impression,  and  not  be- 
cause I  natter  myself  that  I  can  add  anything  to  the  interest  of 
the  occasion,  that  I  rise  at  this  time. 

From  my  earliest  recollection  I  have  ever  been  taught  (and 
who  on  this  floor  has  not?)  to  revere  the  name  of  Washington, 
and  of  all  that  host  of  revolutionary  sires  who  lived  and 
struggled  and  bled  for  freedom  and  free  government — priceless 
blessings  which  we  enjoy  here  to-day.  I  have  honored  them, 
not  because  of  their  valor,  not  for  their  deeds  of  daring,  but 
rather  on  account  of  the  cause,  the  blessed,  the  glorious  cause 
in  which  that  valor  was  displayed,  and  those  deeds  of  daring 
were  enacted.  So,  too,  I  shall  ever  cherish,  most  fondly  cher- 
ish, the  memory  of  Russell ;  not  because  he  was  valiant,  but 
rather  because  his  valor  was  displayed  in  the  same  great  and 
glorious  cause  in  which  a  Washington  fought  and  a  Warren 
fell. 

As  a  citizen  of  this  State,  I  appreciate  the  gift  so  nobly  be- 
stowed, not  because  it  is  a  weapon  of  death,  but  because  wield- 
ed by  the  stalwart  arm  of  its  master,  its  blows  were  for  the 
life  of  this  Republic. 

The  same  cause  which  eighty  odd  years  ago  called  from  its 
sheath  the  sword  of  Putnam,  in  our  day  called  from  its  sheath 
the  sword  of  Russell.  But  mark  the  difference  :  while  our 
revolutionary  fathers  fought  for  the  establishment  of  this  Gov- 
ernment, the  patriots  of  our  day  contend  for  its  continuance. 

We  cannot  wonder  that  the  efforts  of  our  fathers  to  inaugu- 
rate Republican  Government  in  this  country,  awoke  the  most 
violent  opposition  among  the  monarchists  of  the  Old  World. 
That  was  perfectly  natural.     We  expect  Monarchy  in  every 


16  OBITUARY  ADDRESSES. 


age  of  the  world  to  array  itself  against  Republicanism,  wher- 
ever found.  The  two  systems  are  in  direct  and  open  antago- 
nism. There  ever  has  been,  there  ever  will  be,  at  least  until 
the  millennium  shall  come — and  I  confess  I  see  no  immediate 
prospect  of  that — a  conflict  raging  between  them.  In  this 
conflict  it  is  to  be  confessed  that  Monarchy  has  very  generally 
proved  the  victor.  The  history  of  the  world,  with  here  and 
there  a  bright  exception,  is  but  little  better  than  a  history  of 
cruelty,  of  tyranny,  oppression,  and  wrong  inflicted  by  Mon- 
archy in  some  of  its  varied  forms  upon  the  masses  of  its  sub- 
jects ;  of  wrong  sustained  by  the  plebeian  many  at  the  hands 
of  the  royal  few.  In  all  this  dreary  desert  of  oppression,  the 
broadest,  the  brightest,  the  fairest  oasis  the  world  has  ever  seen 
was  here  in  our  own  beloved  America,  under  the  Government 
which  our  fathers  had  left  us,  and  in  defense  of  which  the  gal- 
lant Russell  has  fallen. 

From  beginnings  small  and  untoward,  with  difficulties  to 
encounter  and  prejudices  to  meet,  such  as  it  has  seldom  been 
the  lot  of  any  nation  to  contend  against,  in  a  few  short  years 
we  had  attained  a  proud  position  among  the  first-class  Powers 
of  the  earth.  Our  history,  short,  yet  bright  and  glorious,  con- 
stituted a  living,  unanswerable  argument  in  favor  of  popular 
freedom,  and  at  the  same  time  a  rebuke,  keen  and  cutting,  to 
Monarchy,  in  whatever  form  and  wherever  found. 

That  such  a  Government  should  have  its  enemies  was  of 
course  perfectly  natural,  but  that  those  enemies  should  be  found 
within  its  own  limits,  among  those  who  had  ever  had  their  full 
share  in  its  control,  as  well  as  in  the  benefits  derived  from  it ; 
among  those  who  were  indebted  for  their  very  power  to  injure, 
to  its  fostering  care,  was  almost  incredible.  But  it  is  said  that 
"  Truth  is  stranger  than  fiction,"  and  the  justice  of  that  re- 
mark has  seldom  been  more  strikingly  verified  than  in  the  re- 
bellion for  the  suppression  of  which  the  sword  of  the  lament- 
ed Russell  was  drawn. 

A  portion  of  our  fellow-citizens  throw  off  their  allegiance, 
indignantly  repudiate  the  Constitution — the  charter  of  their 
own  rights — tear  from  its  staff  and  trample  in  the  dust  the 


COL.    CHARLES    L.    RUSSELL.  17 


dear  old  flag,  baptized  in  the  tears  and  consecrated  by  the 
blood  of  a  patriot  ancestry ;  begging  aid  from,  and  allegiance 
with  the  Monarchists  of  Europe  on  the  one  hand  and  the  sav- 
age tribes  of  our  southwestern  frontiers  on  the  other,  in  order 
to  break  up  and  destroy  a  Government  under  which  they,  as 
well  as  we,  had  ever  been  protected  in  the  enjoyment  of  every 
dear  and  sacred  right  which  had  ever  been  protected  by  any 
good  Government  under  Heaven — a  Government  which  to 
them,  as  well  as  to  us,  was  consecrated  by  a  thousand  sacred 
memories  of  a  glorious  past,  which  to  them,  as  well  as  to  us, 
was  replete  with  blessings  for  the  present  and  bright  with 
promise  for  the  future. 

It  was  for  the  suppression  of  such  a  rebellion,  and  for  the 
punishment  of  such  ingrates,  that  the  sword  of  Russell  leaped 
from  its  scabbard.  It  was  not  for  conquest,  it  was  not  for 
spoil !  It  was  for  the  perpetuity  of  American  Freedom  !  No- 
ble !  thrice  noble,  the  object !  Precious !  thrice  precious,  the 
price  which  he  paid  for  it ! 

But,  Sir,  though  Colonel  Russell  is  dead,  not  so  the  cause 
which  he  loved  and  for  which  he  sacrificed  his  life.  Since  his 
fall  the  flag  under  which  he  was  born,  under  which  he  lived, 
under  which  he  died,  and  beneath  the  shadows  of  which  his 
ashes  have  found  their  final  repose,  has  waved  in  triumph  on 
many  a  bloody  battle-field ;  and  still,  Sir,  its  course  is  onward. 
Not  every,  nor  yet  the  brightest  page  in  its  history  is  written. 
It  yet  has  a  future — bright,  glorious,  and  big  with  blessings 
for  the  world. 

I  am  one  of  those  who  believe  in  a  higher  Power,  that  rules 
over  the  world  and  shapes  the  destinies  of  nations  at  His  will. 
That  power  works  not  without  a  purpose.  Those  purposes  are 
high,  holy,  and  sure. 

Blind,  indeed,  must  that  man  be,  who  can  look  at  our  past 
history  and  not  discover  at  every  step  of  progress  which,  as  a 
nation  we  have  ever  made,  the  foot-marks  of  Deity.  And  even 
now,  peering  through  the  war-cloud  darkling  in  our  sky,  I  fan- 
cy that  I  can  see  the  "  bow  of  promise,"  and  inscribed  upon  it 
in  letters  of  living  light  the  ominous  words,  "  Jehovah  Jireh  !" 


18  OBITUARY    ADDRESSES. 

I  believe,  Sir,  that  our  triumph  is  sure,  and  that  the  time  is 
not  far  distant  when  Treason  and  Rebellion,  sweating  at  every 
pore,  and  shaking  in  every  joint,  will  read  in  that  triumph 
Mene,  Tekel,  Upharsin  ! 


ADDEESS  OP  SEUATOE  PHILLIPS. 
Senator  Phillips,  of  the  Fourteenth  District,  remarked  : 

Mr.  President: — It  is  fit  and  becoming  us,  as  legislators,  to 
pause  in  the  midst  of  duties,  and  pay  a  generous  tribute  of  re- 
spect to  the  memory  of  a  fallen  hero. 

Not  now,  can  the  story  of  his  life  be  told ;  but,  when  the 
storm  which  is  pelting  down  upon  our  heads  so  mercilessly,  is 
over,  and  time  gives  license  for  eulogy,  will  the  history  of  the 
lives  of  heroes  be  written. 

It  was  not  my  good  fortune  to  have  been  personally  ac- 
quainted with  Colonel  Russell ;  yet,  I  am  assured  that  in  his 
fall  the  country  lost  a  noble  hero  ;  his  wife,  a  fond  and  loving 
husband ;  his  children,  a  kind  father. 

At  the  first  moment  of  danger  he  left  his  home  to  defend 
the  national  capital  from  the  assaults  of  treason  ;  after  his  term 
of  service  had  expired,  he  was  among  the  first  to  volunteer  for 
the  war.  He  died  as  a  soldier  should  wish  to  die :  at  the  head 
of  his  regiment,  nobly  doing  his  duty. 

A  quiet  New  England  village  mourns  the  loss  of  her  dead 
son  ;  Connecticut  mourns  the  loss  of  a  true-hearted  patriot,  cut 
down  in  the  hour  of  victory,  in  the  strength  of  manhood ;  and 
to-day  embalms  his  memory  in  an  ever-enduring  chaplet  of 
fame. 

Let  us  not  forget  the  faithful  dead ;  but  let  us  deposit  this 
emblem  of  his  patriotism  in  the  archives  of  the  State,  as  a  per- 
petual memorial  that  his  name  is  enshrined  in  the  hearts  of  his 
countrymen. 

The  old  State  had  a  proud  record  in  '76.  Shall  she  not  have 
as  proud  a  record  when  future  generation  s  shall  recount  the 
deeds  of  '62  ? 


COL.    CHAKLES    L.    EUSSELL.  19 

Putnam,  Ledyard,  Wooster,  Knowlton,  and  a  host  of  others 
periled  their  all  in  the  dark  days  of  '76,  to  establish  the  free 
and  beneficent  Government  which  we  have  enjoyed  for  the 
last  three-quarters  of  a  century. 

The  name  of  Colonel  Russell,  with  that  of  the  noble  Lyon, 
Farnham,  ."Winthrop,  Ward,  and  a  host  of  others  of  this  State, 
will  be  handed  to  future  generations  as  the  men  who,  in  '62, 
enriched  the  soil  of  "  the  Union "  with  their  blood,  for  the 
maintenance  and  perpetuation,  on  this  Western  Continent,  of 
that  same  great  principle  of  popular  liberty. 

As  the  eternal  glaciers  from  the  tops  of  the  mountains  press 
themselves  down  into  the  valleys  below  with  a  force  which 
nothing  earthly  can  withstand— so,  the  patriot  soldier  of 
the  Union  is  pressing  himself  into  the  very  heart  of  the  re- 
bellion, and  as  he  goes  he  smites  the  rocks  of  secession  on 
either  side  ;  and,  ere  long,  we  may  hope,  living  streams  of  loyal- 
ty and  patriotism  will  gush  forth,  inundating  the  whole  South, 
and  bring  her  misguided  people  to  realize  the  magnitude  of 
their  crime  against  the  best  Government  on  earth,  and  back 
again  to  that  sublime  Jacksonian  doctrine  :  "  The  Union  must 
and  shall  be  preserved !" 

Pealing  bells  and  booming  cannon  will  have  announced 
many  a  Union  victory  over  slavery  and  wrong.  The  old  flag 
will  again  wave  in  triumph  on  the  ramparts  of  every  portion 
of  the  Union.  Every  state,  every  county,  every  town  and  vil- 
lage, every  hamlet,  and  the  last  man,  will  yield  his  willing  obe- 
dience to  the  Government.  In  God's  own  time  and  way,  that 
foul  blot  upon  our  national  honor — American  slavery — will  be 
wiped  out,  and  we  become,  more  than  ever,  and  in  truth, 

"  The  land  of  the  free  and  the  home  of  the  brave." 

Long  years  in  the  future  one  hundred  millions  of  people  will 
be  living  upon  the  soil  of  the  American  Union,  equal  in  con- 
dition, the  progeny  of  one  race,  owing  their  origin  to  the  "  Rev- 
olution ;"  propagated  under  the  same  invigorating  rays  of  free 
government  and  imbued  with  the  same  principle  of  liberty. 

Colonel  Russell's  body  will  have  lain  "  mouldering  in  the 


20  OBITUARY  ADDRESSES. 


grave  "  for  many  a  year,  awaiting  the  resurrection's  dawn  ;  yet 
his  soul  will  have  been  "marching  on  "  in  that  grand  army  of 
martyred  heroes,  who  in  '62  laid  down  their  lives  in  defense  of 


the  right. 


"Farewell,  departed  hero, 

From  thee  we  sever, 
Though  here  thy  work  is  done, 

Part  we,  forever  ? 
No — on  that  radiant  shore, 

Where  thou  hast  gone  before, 
There  we  shall  part  no  more, 

Never,  no  never." 


The  resolutions  were  adopted  unanimously,  and  the  Senate 
adjourned. 


IN  THE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES, 
Tuesday,  June   24,  1862. 


EULOG-IES. 


On  motion  of  Mr.  Pratt  of  Rocky  Hill,  the  special  order  of 
the  day,  the  same  being  the  consideration  of  the  resolutions 
relative  to  Colonel  Charles  L.  Russell,  was  taken  up,  and 
the  resolutions  were  read. 

Mr.  Plumb,  of  Derby,  addressed  the  House  as  follows : — 

ADDRESS  OP  ME.  PLUMB. 

Mr.  Speaker  : — As  the  Representative  of  the  town  in  which 
Col.  Russell  lived,  and  where  his  remains  now  lie  buried,  it 
seems  proper  that  I  should  ask  the  attention  of  the  House  for 
a  few  moments,  while  I  recall  some  few  facts  connected  with 
the  man  and  his  history. 

Col.  Russell  was  not  born  in  Derby,  but  in  the  county  of  Litch- 
field— I  think  in  the  parish  of  Northneld,  in  the  town  of  Litch- 
field. He  came  to  Derby  when  about  ten  years  old,  with  his 
father's  family,  and  continued  there  until  he  entered  the  army. 
His  family  of  a  widow  and  two  children  now  reside  there. 
Like  most  of  New  England's  sons,  young  Russell  had  to  work 
out  a  way  in  life  for  himself,  and  right  worthily  and  earnestly 
he  set  himself  to  do  it.  In  the  full  consciousness  that  it  was 
only  by  his  own  exertions  that  he  could  rise  in  the  world,  and 
with  the  fullest  determination  to  rise,  he  made  use  of  every 
opportunity  and  means  to  improve  himself,  physically,  mental- 
ly and  morally.  Industrious,  ingenious,  honest  and  rigidly 
temperate,  it  will  be  naturally  inferred,  that  when  he  became 


22  OBITUARY   ADDRESSES. 


old  enough  to  engage  in  some  industrial  pursuit,  lie  was  much 
esteemed  by  employers,  fellow-artisans,  and  the  whole  circle  in 
which  he  was  known.  I  need  not  take  time  to  dilate  upon  his 
career  at  this  period,  for  it  is  principally  with  his  military  ca- 
reer that  we  are  now  concerned.  Let  it  suffice,  that  when  he 
attained  his  majority  there  were  very  few  so  much  beloved  and 
esteemed,  or  that  gave  so  fair  a  promise  of  becoming  useful 
and  influential. 

On  arriving  at  an  age  that  required  his  entering  the  military 
organization  of  the  State,  young  Russell  entered  an  enlisted 
company  in  our  town.  He  rapidly  passed  through  all  the  in- 
tervening grades,  and  became  the  captain  of  the  company  at  a 
very  early  period.  Under  his  command,  it  became  one  of  the 
best  disciplined  companies  of  the  regiment,  and  this  was  one 
that  embraced  the  fine  companies  of  this  city,  always  and  just- 
ly celebrated  as  among  the  best  in  the  State.  Soon  after,  he 
became  a  member  of  the  regimental  staff,  and  was  occupying 
that  position  when  the  rebellion  was  inaugurated. 

The  electric  current  had  scarce  ceased  beating  with  the  in- 
telligence of  the  bombardment  of  Fort  Sumpter,  when  he  en- 
gaged ardently  in  the  work  of  raising  troops  for  the  defense  of 
his  imperiled  country.  The  company  which  he  had  formerly 
commanded  promptly  volunteered,  and  others,  composing  the 
Second  Regiment,  having  also  done  the  same,  that  regiment 
was  soon  under  arms,  under  Col.  Terry,  and  our  friend  went 
with  it  to  "Washington  as  Adjutant.  How  he  performed  his 
duties  while  there,  and  especially  at  Bull  Run,  the  report  of 
the  Adjutant-General  of  this  State,  and  those  of  his  superiors 
on  the  field  of  battle,  will  show.  Let  it  suffice  now  to  say,  that 
that  calamitous  result  was  in  no  wise  due  to  any  misconduct  of 
any  Connecticut  officers  or  men. 

Adjutant  Russell  returned  with  his  regiment  at  the  expira- 
tion of  their  term  of  service,  but  he  felt  too  keenly  the  need  of 
the  country  for  the  services  of  every  man  who  could  raise 
an  arm  in  her  defense,  to  remain  long  idle,  and  he  soon  en- 
gaged in  the  work  of  enlisting  a  company  of  volunteers.  "With 
the  understanding  that  he  should  accept  the  command,  this 


COL.    CHAELES    L.    EUSSELL.  23 

was  no  difficult  task,  and  the  company  was  promptly  filled, 
and  he  at  once  and  with  entire  unanimity  appointed  its  Cap- 
tain. They  were  attached  to  the  Eighth  Regiment,  and  went 
into  camp  at  Hartford.  Before  they  were  removed  from  their 
camp  in  this  State,  Capt.  Russell  was  tendered  the  Lieut.-Co- 
lonelcy  of  the  Tenth  Regiment,  and  the  only  embarrassment  in 
the  way  of  his  acceptance,  arose  from  his  reluctance  to  be  sep- 
arated from  the  company  which  he  had  organized,  and  to  which 
he  was  much  attached,  and  who  were  quite  as  much  attached 
to  their  commander.  The  difficulty  was  obviated  by  the  trans- 
position of  the  company  from  the  Eighth  to  the  Tenth  Regi- 
ment, of  which  Capt.  Russell  was  made  the  Lieut.-Colonel, 
and  soon  after  the  Colonel. 

With  the  Eighth  and  Eleventh,  this  regiment  was  attached 
to  Gen.  Burnside's  command  and  sent  to  North  Carolina. 
How  Gen.  Burnside  surmounted  what  seemed  insurmountable 
obstacles,  all  who  hear  me  well  know.  "With  an  energy,  skill 
and  bravery,  all  equal  to  the  necessities  of  the  occasion,  and 
aided  by  the  gallant  navy  associated  with  them,  he  and  his 
troops  forced  their  way  into  Pamlico  Sound,  and  landed  on  and 
captured  Roanoke' Island.  Among  the  foremost  in  that  en- 
gagement was  the  gallant  Colonel  Russell.  Bravely  and  skill- 
fully he  led  his  regiment  in  storming  the  batteries,  and  just  as 
victory  was  crowning  the  heroic  exertions  of  our  brave  troops, 
he  was  killed  by  a  rifle  ball  from  a  sharpshooter  of  the  enemy, 
posted  in  a  tree,  who  undoubtedly  singled  out  the  object  of  his 
aim  from  among  those  who  were  pressing  on  to  the  attack,  as 
one  whose  loss  to  us  would  be  of  consequence.  He  fell,  as  we 
who  knew  him  knew  he  would,  if  he  fell  at  all,  with  his  face 
to  the  foe  and  at  the  head  of  his  regiment. 

The  news  of  that  victory  was  received  with  the  utmost  joy 
all  over  our  State,  and  indeed  all  the  loyal  portions  of  our 
country,  but  to  us  it  was  grievously  saddened  by  the  intelli- 
gence of  the  death  of  Colonel  Russell.  One  day  the  flags  were 
floating  from  every  staff  in  all  our  streets,  in  honor  of  the  glo- 
rious and  important  victory ;  the  next,  they  hung  at  half-mast, 
in  sorrowing  remembrance  of  the  loss  of  our  brave  townsman. 


24  OBITUARY    ADDRESSES. 


A  bright  future  had  seemed  in  store  for  him,  and  his  many 
friends  were  counting  with  confidence  on  his  making  his  mark 
in  the  peaceful  pursuits  of  life,  when  he  should  have  returned 
from  the  suppression  of  this  infamous  rebellion.  We  knew  his 
capacity,  his  integrity,  his  love  of  the  right,  and  his  courage  to 
advocate  it,  and  we  were  certain  that  if  he  lived,  he  would  be 
loved,  esteemed  and  trusted. 

Another  fate  has  befallen  him.  In  the  holiest  cause  he  has 
been  smitten  down.  Defending  his  country  and  her  institu- 
tions he  has  died.  His  blood  has  proved  the  earnestness  of  his 
convictions  and  the  sincerity  of  his  love  of  his  country.  If  he 
must  die,  where  could  he  have  fallen  more  gloriously  \  "Where 
else  could  he  have  yielded  up  his  life  with  more  advantage  to 
the  cause  he  had  so  much  at  heart  ? 

"While  Ave  mourn  the  loss  of  so  brave,  so  good  a  man,  stricken 
down  in  his  early  manhood,  we  will  still  bear  in  mind  that  his 
country  owes  him  a  debt  of  gratitude  which  she  can  never  re- 
pay, and  while  we  carefully  preserve  the  mementoes  of  his 
daring  and  bravery,  now  offered  to  our  acceptance,  the  State, 
I  trust,  will  never  forget  the  virtues  of  the  man  who  once  bore 
them  in  her  behalf. 

ADDEESS  OP  ME.  PEATT. 
Mr.  Pkatt,  of  Rocky  Hill,  made  the  following  remarks : 
Me.  Speaker  : — My  first  acquaintance  with  the  late  Col. 
Russell  was  at  Hartford,  about  a  year  ago,  when  he  presented 
himself  to  the  Board  of  Examiners,  appointed  by  the  Governor, 
to  examine  the  qualifications  of  candidates  for  line  officers 
On  that  occasion,  he  acquitted  himself  in  a  most  creditable 
manner.  His  gallant  conduct  as  Adjutant  of  the  Second  Reg- 
iment, Connecticut  Volunteers,  in  the  ninety  days'  service,  was 
a  sufficient  guarantee  of  his  fitness  to  command.  This  was 
seen  and  appreciated  by  the  Governor,  who  soon  promoted  him 
to  the  field.  While  he  was  with  his  regiment,  encamped  at 
Hartford,  it  was  my  pleasure  to  visit  the  encampment  often, 
and  on  every  occasion  I  found  Col.  Russell  vigilant,  active  and 
efficient  in  the  discharge  of  the  responsible  duties  which  de- 


COL.    CHARLES   L.    RUSSELL. 

volve  upon  the  commandant  of  a  regiment  of  volunteers.  It  is 
not  too  much  to  say,  that  in  my  judgment,  no  one  of  the  Con- 
necticut regiments  left  the  State  in  better  condition,  in  point 
of  discipline  and  soldierly  bearing,  than  the  one  commanded  by 
the  lamented  Col.  Russell.  He  was  himself  not  only  a  soldier 
but  a  gentleman,  and  his  example,  added  to  his  superior  skill 
as  a  disciplinarian  and  tactician,  could  not  fail  to  inspire  those 
under  him  with  a  true  soldierly  spirit.  I  remember  the  last 
interview  I  had  with  Col.  Russell.  It  was  just  previous  to  the 
embarkation  of  his  regiment  for  the  seat  of  war,  on  which  oc- 
casion I  had  the  pleasure  of  witnessing  the  last  dress  parade 
ever  made  by  the  honored  "  Tenth,"  during  its  encampment  in 
Connecticut,  and  their  perfection,  in  many  respects,  was  an  in- 
dex not  to  be  mistaken.  In  conclusion,  Gen.  Pratt  said  that 
Col.  Russell  fell  while  fighting  gallantly  for  the  maintenance  of 
every  right  which  is  dear  to  every  American  heart,  and  his 
memory  will  live  when  the  leaders  of  the  unholy  rebellion  now 
existing  shall  be  lost  to  history,  and  the  flag  of  our  country 
shall  float  triumphantly  over  every  inch  of  our  native  soil. 
Mr.  Speaker,  I  am  unable  to  command  my  feelings  while  pre- 
senting these  remarks,  and  will  conclude  by  saying,  that  the 
sentiments  embodied  in  the  resolutions  have  my  most  hearty 
approval. 

ADDEESS  OP  MR  DAY. 

Mr.  Day,  of  Colchester,  said  : 

Me.  Speaker  : — Allow  me,  before  the  solemnities  that  sur- 
round this  hour  shall  have  passed  away,  to  express  my  grief  at 
the  loss  and  my  admiration  of  the  life  of  the  late  Colonel  Rus- 
sell. I  have  known  him  only  by  his  actions  and  the  impres- 
sions he  made  upon  the  hearts  of  those  who  were  conversant 
with  him.  In  them  I  behold  the  unmistakable  signs  of  a  noble 
man  and  lofty  patriot.  There  is  something  in  the  life  of  a  tru- 
ly noble  man  that  never  fails  to  command  our  reverence  and 
respect.  But  when  such  a  man  adds  thereto  the  highest  testi- 
mony of  action,  and  thereby  consecrates  his  life  in  the  mainte- 
nance of  a  holy  cause,  words  become  powerless  to  describe  the 


26  OBITUARY   ADDRESSES. 


sacred  inspirations  that  cluster  around  his  memory.     Such  was 
Colonel  Russell — a  man  noble  in  thought  and  feeling. 

"  His  was  a  form  and  combination  indeed, 
Where  every  God  did  seem  to  set  his  seal, 
To  give  the  world  assurance  of  a  man." 

"When  the  great  power  of  a  mighty  rebellion  was  threatening 
to  destroy  the  very  foundations  of  this  Government,  undaunted 
by  fear,  but  inspired  with  a  patriotism  as  noble  and  God-like 
as  ever  infused  itself  into  the  heart,  he  grasped  his  sword  and 
went  forth,  encountering  the  dangers  of  war,  to  protect  that 
Government.  But  in  the  hour  of  certain  victory  he  fell.  A 
companion  is  bereaved — a  State  mourns — a  Nation  feels  the 
loss.  Why  does  Colonel  Russell  fill  the  grave  of  a  hero  ?  Be- 
cause in  an  hour  of  imminent  peril,  he  went  forth  to  protect 
that  flag  which  has  long  been  the  ensign  of  our  national  honor 
and  the  watchword  of  our  liberties.  Lamented  hero !  His 
own  actions  have  borne  him  far  above  the  wealth  of  eulogy  and 
praise.  The  march  of  time  and  flight  of  generations  shall  re- 
new the  testimony  of  his  undying  worth,  for  the  worth  of 
heroes  cannot  be  forgotten.  Their  motives  and  actions  will  in- 
fuse themselves  into  the  hearts  of  living  men ;  and  though  the 
sword  of  Colonel  Russell  shall  remain  forever  motionless  in  its 
scabbard,  and  the  hand  that  grasped  it  forever  palsied,  yet  the 
memory  of  him  in  the  hour  of  battle  will  inspire  the  soldiers 
of  Connecticut  to  nobler  deeds  and  more  heroic  achievements. 

Mr.  Speaker,  it  is  fitting  that  we  should  pause  and  tender  to 
her  who  has  thus  generously  presented  to  this  State  the  most 
sacred  memento  of  her  husband,  our  most  sincere  regards  and 
heartfelt  sympathy.  May  she  be  sustained  in  her  great  trial^ 
and  while  she  mourns  her  loss,  may  she  not  fail  to  rejoice 
that  she  had  for  a  companion  so  noble  and  brave  a  man.  Sa- 
cred be  the  memory  of  Colonel  Russell ! 

"  After  life's  fitful  fever  is  o'er, 
He  sleeps  well." 


COL.    CHAELES    L.    EUSSELL.  27 


ADDRESS  OP  ME.  TEAIN. 

Mr.  Train,  of  Milford,  spoke  as  follows : 

Me.  Speakee  : — It  is  always  a  delicate  and  somewhat  diffi- 
cult duty  to  speak  suitably  on  occasions  like  this,  of  those  who 
have  gone  from  us  to  the  spirit  world.  Because,  Sir,  fulsome 
flattery  and  empty  adulation  is  so  often  employed  in  speaking 
of  the  dead,  and  the  hackneyed  phraseology  of  eulogistic  obit- 
uary is  worn  so  threadbare  that  little  meaning  attends  its  ut- 
terance, and  it  seems  like  sacrilege  to  repeat  meaningless  words 
over  the  graves  of  men  of  true  worth ;  and  so  I  say,  Sir,  that 
it  is  difficult  to  properly  characterize  the  virtues  of  worthy 
men,  without  seeming  to  indulge  in  common-place  flattery. 
And  when  we  contemplate  the  character  of  him  whom  we 
mourn  to-day,  it  seems  especially  inappropriate  to  indulge  in 
overwrought  praise  or  high-sounding  eulogy ;  for  within  the 
circle  of  my  acquaintance  I  know  not  the  man  to  whom  the 
language  of  mere  compliment  and  flattery  would  be  more  dis- 
tasteful than  it  would  have  been  to  Colonel  Russell.  I  know 
not  the  man  who  would  less  desire  to  have  been  the  subject  of 
ostentation  and  display  while  living,  or  dead,  to  have  vain  lau- 
dations uttered  over  his  tomb.  And,  Sir,  it  is  not  thus  that  I 
would  speak  ;  but  coming  as  I  do,  from  among  men  who  asso- 
ciated with  Colonel  Russell  and  who  held  him  in  high  respect 
and  esteem,  and  having,  from  my  own  acquaintance  with  him, 
learned  his  worth,  I  feel  it  due  to  myself  and  those  whom  I 
represent,  to  add  my  testimony  to  the  merit  of  the  man,  and 
to  the  grief  we  share  in  common,  while  standing  around  his 
grave.  When  I  say,  Sir,  that  Colonel  Russell  was  a  man  of 
marked  honesty,  integrity  and  purity  of  life,  I  do  not  fear  con- 
tradiction from  any  who  knew  him.  That  he  carried  a  warm 
heart  and  a  strong  will ;  that  he  was  actuated  by  sincere  motives 
and  high  purposes,  was  apparent  to  all  who  came  in  contact 
with  him.  What  higher  commendation  can  man  bestow  upon 
his  fellow-man  than  to  say  of  him  that  his  highest  ambition 
was  to  do  his  duty  faithfully  and  completely,  wherever  that 
duty  might  call  him  ?     Yet  I  am  sure  we  can  with  all  truth- 


28  OBITUARY    ADDRESSES. 


fulness  say  this  of  Colonel  Russell;  On  his  slender,  erect  form 
there  was  the  stamp  of  manhood,  and  from  his  bright,  blue-grey 
eye  shone  as  warm  and  true  a  heart  as  ever  throbbed  in  human 
breast.  The  brief  military  career  of  Colonel  Russell,  and  the 
incidents  attending  his  death,  are  familiar  to  you  all.  You 
have  heard  how,  in  those  terrible  April  days  of  1861,  at 
the  sound  of  the  tocsin,  he  threw  down  his  business,  left  his 
home,  his  children,  his  wife,  and  shouldering  his  musket,  took 
his  place  in  line  of  battle  in  defense  of  his  country  against 
armed  treason.  You  have  heard  how  he  returned  from  the 
three  months'  campaign,  having  won  the  esteem  of  his  fellow 
soldiers,  and  that  the  praises  of  all  were  showered  upon  him 
for  his  heroism  and  faithful  discharge  of  duty.  He  returned, 
but  not  to  lay  his  armor  down.  His  patriotic  soul  called  him 
again  to  the  field,  and  he  placed  himself  at  the  disposal  of  his 
State  and  country  for  the  war.  The  Commander-in-chief,  ac- 
knowledging his  worth,  commissioned  him  Colonel  of  the  Tenth 
Regiment,  Connecticut  Yolunteers.  He  left  his  home  at  the 
head  of  his  regiment,  willing  to  devote  long  years,  if  need  be, 
in  defense  of  his  country,  or,  if  the  sacrifice  must  be  made,  to 
lay  his  life  upon  her  altar.  He  left  us  in  the  freshness  and 
vigor  of  early  manhood,  his  heart  beating  high  with  manly  as- 
pirations. Our  hopes  and  prayers  followed  him.  His  lifeless 
body  was  brought  back  to  us,  ghastly  and  bleeding,  murdered 
— aye,  Mr.  Speaker,  that  is  the  word — murdered  by  the  foul 
hand  of  treason.  We  delight  to  think  of  the  patriotism  and 
lofty  courage  that  filled  the  soul  of  the  youthful  warrior  thus 
fallen  in  his  early  prime,  but  we  can  scarcely  repress  a  bitter 
malediction  on  those  who  have  bereft  us  of  our  friend.  "Well 
may  we  mourn  when  such  men  die.  "Well  may  the  Common- 
wealth of  Connecticut  shroud  herself  in  sackcloth  and  bow  her- 
self in  grief  at  the  grave  of  such  a  son. 

Mr.  Speaker,  we  mourn  the  death  of  Colonel  Russell  to-day 
as  a  public  man.  We  mourn  the  loss  sustained  in  his  death, 
by  the  State,  by  the  people,  by  the  Nation.  It  is  well  so  to  do. 
But  it  is  also  becoming  in  us  to  remember  that  home  that  is 
made  lonely,  that  fireside  made  desolate,  by  his  fall.     In  that 


COL.    CHARLES    L.    KTTSSELL.  29 


desolate  home  sits  to-day  the  heart-broken  wife,  bowed  with 
anguish,  her  very  soul  torn  and  bleeding,  listening  for  that 
voice  and  those  footsteps  that  she  shall  never  on  earth  hear 
more.  There,  too,  are  those  little  ones  bereft  of  a  father  and 
protector.  We  cannot  repair  their  loss.  We  cannot  assuage 
their  grief,  but  we  will  to-day,  Sir,  tender  to  that  mourning 
wife  and  those  fatherless  children  the  heartfelt  assurance  of 
our  kindest  sympathy.  Across  this  new  made  grave  we  proffer 
the  hand  of  friendship  and  mingle  our  tears  with  theirs. 

This  atrocious  rebellion,  Sir,  has  in  it  enough  of  the  horrible 
without  drawing  any  sketches  of  fancy.  But  employed  as  we 
are,  with  our  usual  avocations,  and  removed  from  the  scene  of 
conflict,  it  is  impossible  for  us  to  realize  the  sufferings  of  those 
who  are  fighting  for  us,  or  the  misery  brought  to  so  many 
hearts  and  homes.  It  is  only  in  the  contemplation  of  scenes 
like  this  to-day  brought  before  us,  when  we  see  the  lifeless  forms 
of  fathers,  brothers,  sons  and  lovers,  brought  home  to  us  cruel- 
ly slain  by  rebel  hands,  and  hear  the  lamentations  of  the  be- 
reaved, that  we  catch  some  glimpse  of  the  spirit  of  the  demon 
that  presides  over  this  carnival  of  treason.  Over  how  many 
homes  does  the  angel  of  death  sit  brooding?  How  many 
Rachels  sit  weeping  and  refuse  to  be  comforted  ?  No  relation- 
ship is  so  dear,  no  tie  so  delicate,  that  it  is  not  ruthlessly  sun- 
dered by  traitorous  foes.  We  are  sometimes  taught,  Sir,  that 
it  is  not  in  accordance  with  the  doctrines  of  Christianity  to  in- 
dulge in  feelings  of  vengeance  towards  those  who  are  the  au- 
thors of  our  misery.  "  Vengeance  is  mine,  and  I  will  repay, 
saith  the  Lord."  And  as  God  liveth,  I  believe  he  will  in  his 
holy  vengeance  and  wrath,  visit  the  authors  of  this  misery  with 
his  just  retribution.  But  it  is  hardly  in  the  power  of  humani- 
ty, Sir,  to  repress  the  curses  that  rise  to  our  lips,  and  if  we  ut- 
ter our  anathemas  on  those  who  are  thus  rending  our  hearts, 
I  believe  the  tears  of  the  Recording  Angel  will  blot  them  from 
his  book  of  remembrance. 

There  is  much,  Sir,  in  the  affairs  of  this  nation,  and  in  the 
scenes  which  surround  us,  to  depress  the  stoutest  heart,  and 
shroud  the  bravest  soul  in  gloom.     If  my  reliance  was  on  man 


30  OBITUARY    ADDRESSES. 


alone,  ray  knees  would  strike  together  in  terror,  and  my  heart 
fail.  But  I  remember,  Sir,  that  the  Lord  God  Omnipotent 
reigneth,  and  in  Him  I  put  my  trust.  I  believe  that  in  His  own 
good  way  and  time  this  nation  will  emerge  from  her  tribula- 
tions, purified  and  glorified ;  that  she  will  yet  be  to  the  world 
a  beacon  light  of  Christianity,  civilization,  truth,  justice  and 
liberty.  He  who  has  helped  us  hitherto  will  still  help  us. 
Qui  transtulit  sustinet. 

Sir,  I  see  in  yonder  horizon  the  night-black,  murky  cloud ; 
I  see  the  blood-red,  lurid,  threatening  gleam  of  lightning,  but 
beyond  all,  I  see  the  beams  of  the  golden  sun  penetrating  the 
gloom,  and  I  read  there  as  a  prophecy  that  the  pathway  of 
this  nation  lies  through  night  and  blood  to  golden  liberty  and 
perpetuity. 

ADDEESS  OF  MK.  HODGE. 

Mr.  Hodge,  of  Colebrook,  said  : 

Mr.  President  : — It  was  not  my  intention,  until  at  a  late 
hour,  to  have  said  anything  upon  the  passage  of  these  resolu- 
tions, but  should  I  at  this  time  remain  altogether  silent,  and 
offer  no  word  in  commemoration  of  him  who  has  sacrificed  his 
life  upon  the  altar  of  his  country,  I  should  fail  to  represent 
those  who  have  honored  me  with  a  seat  in  this  body,  and  do  in- 
justice to  my  own  feelings. 

As  has  been  said,  Colonel  Russell  was  born  in  Litchfield 
county,  and  therefore  it  is  especially  appropriate  that  that  part 
of  the  State  should  be  represented  upon  this  occasion.  During 
a  life,  somewhat  eventful,  it  has  fallen  to  my  lot  personally  to 
witness  something  of  the  "  panoply  of  war,"  and  when  I  see 
the  sword  of  one  who  has  fallen  in  battle  lie  before  me,  it 
brings  to  my  mind  recollections  of  former  days ;  of  scenes  and 
sufferings  fading  from  memory.  Sir,  the  glory  of  war  is  in  the 
imagination ;  the  realities  in  yon  hospital  and  in  the  lonely 
cottage  where  weeps  the  widow  and  the  mother  for  the  lost  one 
slain  in  battle.  Go  to  that  hospital — witness  there  the  dead 
and  dying — and  tell  us  not  again  of  the  "  glory  of  war."     Go 


COL.    CHARLES    L.    EUSSELL.  31 

to  that  lonely  mansion  where  sits  the  once  happy  wife,  now 
draped  in  the  habiliments  of  sorrow,  her  eye  wet  with  tears — 

See,  but  glance  briefly,  sorrow-worn  and  pale, 
Those  sunken  cheeks  beneath  the  widow's  veil, 

and  sing  no  more  peans  to  the  god  of  battle. 

He,  whose  sword  now  lies  upon  the  Speaker's  stand,  went 
forth  to  the  charge  in  the  vigor  of  manhood.  His  body  now 
reposes  in  the  icy  stillness  of  the  grave — his  soul  sleeps  with 
the  patriot-martyrs  who  have  gone  before  him.  He  had  but 
one  life  to  give — he  gave  that  freely  for  his  country.  His 
noble-hearted  wife  had  but  one  husband  to  give — she  gave  him 
for  our  common  country's  cause,  and  now  she  gives  his  sword 
to  the  State  of  Connecticut.  The  State  has  lost  one  of  the 
bravest  of  its  brave — the  community  one  of  its  most  valuable 
citizens — the  wife  the  dearest  of  earthly  objects.     Such  is  war. 

It  is  no  uncommon  thing  to  fall  in  battle.  Millions  have 
passed  the  portals  of  death  upon  the  field  of  conflict.  It  is  the 
cause,  and  not  the  deed,  that  makes  the  patriot.  Charles  XII 
of  Sweden  fought  for  his  crown,  and  fell  before  the  legions  of 
his  adversary.  Csesar  fought  for  dominion,  and  fell  at  the 
hand  of  Brutus.  Archimides,  the  most  distinguished  of  ancient 
geometers,  fell  at  the  festival  of  Diana,  amid  the  din  of  battle, 
by  the  hand  of  a  common  soldier.  The  hero  whose  name  we 
would  this  day  commemorate,  fought  not  for  dominion.  No 
glittering  crown  dazzled  his  vision.  It  was  not  for  the  solving 
of  any  scientific  problem  that  he  sacrificed  his  life.  No,  none 
of  these;  but  he  fought  for  his  country,  and  died  at  the  hand 
of  a  traitor.  He  fought  for  those  God-given  rights — given  to 
man  at  Mount  Sinai,  amid  the  lightnings  of  heaven.  Sir,  he 
fought  in  behalf  of  that  irrepressible  conflict  set  on  foot  on 
Pisgah's  top,  and  which  must  and  will  go  forward  until  the 
world  is  disenthralled  from  error,  and  the  right  of  man  to  self- 
government  becomes  universal.  He  fought  for  your  liberty, 
and  my  liberty,  and  the  liberty  of  our  children  and  our  chil- 
dren's children,  in  after  generations,  so  long  as  time  on  earth 
shall  last.     He  fought  for  the  maintenance  of  that  government 


32  OBITUARY   ADDRESSES. 


bequeathed  to  us  by  the  blood  of  the  patriot  sires  who  fought 
and  fell  at  Lexington  and  Bunker  Hill.  He  fought  for  the 
land  of  "Washington.  He  offered  himself  a  living  sacrifice 
upon  the  altar  of  his  country.  He  fell  foremost  in  the  rank. 
An  angel  of  light  could  have  done  no  more.  It  has  been  most 
beautifully  expressed : — 

"Then  said  the  mother  to  her  son, 
And  pointed  to  his  shield, 
Come  ivith  it  when  the  battle's  done, 
Or  on  it  from  the  field." 

Sir,  the  battle  of  Roanoke  Island  is  done,  and  there  upon  the 
Speaker's  stand  is  the  shield — the  gladius  pugnatorius — of  the 
brave  Colonel  Russell.     He  came 

"  On  it  from  the  field." 

Let  us  cherish  his  memory  with  feelings  of  pride,  and  do  our 
duty  as  fearlessly  and  nobly  as  he  did  his. 


ADDEESS  OF  ME.  OOIT. 
Mr.  Coit,  of  New  London,  said  : 

Mr.  Speaker  : — It  is  fitting  for  us  to  turn  from  the  material 
interests  which  have  engrossed  our  time  and  attention  so  long, 
to  pause  a  moment  over  the  grave  of  a  patriot.  When  the 
dark  clouds  of  rebellion  were  rolling  over  the  land,  and  it  seem- 
ed as  if  our  whole  country  would  be  overwhelmed  by  them,  a 
noble  band  sprang  forth,  fully  armed,  like  Minerva  from  the 
brain  of  Jove,  and  saved  us  from  destruction.  Not  least  among 
them  was  he  whose  loss  we  now  lament,  and  whose  memory 
we  seek  to  honor.  When  the  appeal  rang  through  the  land 
for  men  to  save  the  country,  he  felt  that  duty  called  him  to  the 
field.  For  him  to  hear  the  call  of  duty  was  to  obey.  On  the 
first  field  of  battle  he  won  himself  a  name  which,  later  days  have 
proved,  was  well  deserved.  Returning  to  his  home  and  to  his 
former  domestic  duties,  he  heard  again  the  call  to  battle.  Re- 
gardless of  the  ties  of  home,  regardless  of  the  fond,  wild  cries 
of  wife  and  kindred,  prompted,  perhaps,  by  sad  forebodings  of 


COL.    CHARLES    L.    RUSSELL.  33 


his  coming  fate,  again  he  answered  to  the  call  of  duty.  Occu- 
pying at  first  a  minor  position,  he  rapidly  rose  to  the  chief 
command  of  his  regiment.  In  every  position  which  he  occu- 
pied he  won  the  confidence  and  love  of  those  with  whom  he 
was  connected.  Soon  after  he  took  command  of  his  regiment, 
they  left  for  the  seat  of  war,  and  together  with  the  Eighth  and 
Eleventh  Connecticut  Regiments,  took  part  in  the  battle  of 
Roanoke  Island.  In  this  fierce  battle,  in  which  the  noble  Tenth 
stood  so  long  and  so  bravely  against  the  forces  of  the  enemy,  Rus- 
sell, first  among  the  toremost,  fell.  He  fought  for  freedom,  and 
for  liberty  he  died.  As  when  we  think  of  that  terrible  siege  and 
battle  at  Quebec,  we  almost  lose  all  thought  of  the  battle  and 
the  victory,  while  we  vividly  remember  all  the  details  of  the 
death  of  brave  Wolfe,  so  when  the  history  of  the  battle  of  Roan- 
oke Island  is  read  in  future  years,  though  the  fierce  conflict 
and  its  results  will  be  long  remembered,  yet  the  most  thrilling 
interest  will  centre  around  the  gallant  Russell,  who  led  his 
troops  to  victory  and  himself  to  death. 

Mr.  Speaker,  we  learned  at  our  mother's  knees  to  look  back 
upon  the  time  of  our  Revolution  as  the  age  of  heroes,  and  to 
believe  that  the  noble  men  of  those  days  who  fought  and  died 
to  achieve  the  independence  of  their  country,  were  worthy  of 
the  highest  place  among  the  noble  men  of  all  times.  Our  chil- 
dren, sir,  will  look  back  upon  the  present  time  as  an  age  of  pa- 
triotism, and  will  venerate  those  patriots  who  sacrificed  them- 
selves to  secure  from  destruction  the  liberty  and  freedom  re- 
ceived from  their  fathers.  Connecticut's  sons  will  then  thank 
God  that  their  native  State  was  true  to  her  reputation  and  her- 
self, and  the  names  of  Lyon,  Winthrop  and  Russell  will  stand 
as  high  on  the  pedestal  of  fame,  and  be  surrounded  with  the 
same  glory  as  those  of  Ledyard  and  Putnam. 

ADDEESS  OF  ME.  JUDD. 

Mr.  Jtjdd,  of  Stratford,  remarked : 

Mr.  Speaker  : — When  these  resolutions  were  first  presented 
and  read  from  the  Clerk's  desk,  nothing  was  further  from  my 


34  OBITUARY    ADDRESSES. 


intentions  than  to  say  a  word  upon  their  passage  ;  but  upon 
more  mature  reflection,  I  deem  it  a  duty  on  our  part  to  bear 
testimony  for  our  constituents  upon  this  melancholy  occasion ; 
hence  it  is  I  arise  to  tender  my  tribute,  however  humble  it  may 
be,  in  respect  to  the  honored  dead.  Sir,  I  was  not  personally 
acquainted  with  the  deceased,  but  it  is  enough  for  me  to 
know,  that  he  died  fighting  the  battles  of  his  country.  Like 
many  other  brave  men,  he  buckled  on  his  armor  in  her  defense 
at  the  first  sound  of  approaching  danger.  He  abandoned,  un- 
hesitatingly, the  avocations  of  peaceful  life  for  the  stern  and 
dangerous  realities  of  war.  No  considerations  of  social  life,  no 
domestic  relations,  no  paternal  affections,  could  deter  him  from 
the  discharge  of  a  duty  which  he  believed  of  higher  value,  of 
greater  importance,  of  vaster  interest — his  country's  call.  In 
obedience  to  this,  sir,  when  the  first  fearful  mutterings  of  dis- 
solution came  booming  through  the  land,  sending  dismay  and 
consternation  to  the  bosom  of  every  family,  unawed,  he  bared 
his  bosom  to  the  coming  storm ;  unterrified,  he  went  out  to 
meet  the  shock  of  battle.  In  a  distant  State,  on  a  lonely  isle 
bristling  with  hostile  bayonets  and  defended  by  rebel  batteries, 
he  fearlessly  led  his  men  in  the  face  of  a  confident  enemy  ;  he 
gallantly  drew  this  sword  for  liberty,  he  bravely  struck  for  vic- 
tory. They  won  it,  but  he  fell !  Fell,  Mr.  Speaker,  as  brave 
men  always  fall — facing  the  enemy  and  pierced  by  the  winged 
arrows  of  death  !  Fell,  in  the  legitimate  discharge  of  his  duty 
to  his  country  ;  fell,  in  the  front  of  battle,  in  the  midst  of  con- 
flict and  the  confusion  of  clashing  arms,  urging  on  his  men. 
Sir,  it  is  at  least  a  consolation  to  know  that  his  remains  are 
quietly  resting  in  the  bosom  of  this,  his  own  native  State.  In 
a  beautiful  valley,  by  a  babbling  brook,  in  a  chosen  spot,  she 
has  laid  him !  There,  Mr.  Speaker,  when  the  shades  of  twi- 
light come  creeping  softly  o'er  the  earth,  when  the  last  rays  of 
the  departing  sun  steal  gently  over  the  landscape,  when  all  the 
world  is  still,  repairs  the  chosen  and  estimable  partner  of  his 
life,  and  in  lonely  solitude  pours  out  the  pent  up  feelings  of  her 
heart  in  quiet  sorrow  at  his  grave.  These  resolutions,  sir,  as- 
sure her  that  in  this  bereavement  she  is  not  alone.     They  ten- 


COL.    CHAKLES    L.    KTJSSELL.  35 

der  the  sympathies  of  the  entire  State — the  sympathies  of 
your  constituents  and  mine.  Colonel  Russell  died  in  the  es- 
teem of  all  who  knew  him — in  the  love  of  his  family  and  the 
respect  of  his  friends ;  died,  Sir,  in  the  pride  of  his  intellect,  in 
the  vigor  of  manhood,  in  defense  of  his  country,  and  in  the  ser- 
vice of  the  State.  In  his  death  humanity  has  lost  an  earnest 
friend,  the  cause  of  liberty  an  ardent  defender,  the  State  a  no- 
ble son.  A  kind  husband,  an  affectionate  father,  a  brave  man  ! 
Peace  to  his  ashes  !  honor  to  his  memory!  rest  to  his  soul ! 

Mr.  Speaker:  This  sword  is  a  fitting  tribute  as  the  last  gift 
of  the  estimable  widow,  to  be  plaeed  among  the  archives  of  the 
State,  there  to  remain  as  a  solemn  testimony  to  this  and  com- 
ing generations  that  in  this,  the  second  great  struggle  of  liber- 
ty, Connecticut's  son  did  his  duty  well.  It  is  a  melancholy 
testimony  to  us  to  day,  Sir,  that  however  bravely  he  has  used 
it  in  the  cause  of  liberty  and  his  country,  his  firm  hand  shall 
never  again  grasp  its  hilt,  nor  his  strong  right  arm  wield  its 
trusty  blade.     No,  his  earthly  career  is  finished,  his  life  ended  ! 

"  The  thunders  may  roll  and  the  loud  cannons  rattle — 
He  heeds  not,  he  hears  not,  he  is  free  from  all  pain  ; 
He  sleeps  his  last  sleep,  he  has  fought  his  last  battle, 
No  sound  can  awake  him  to  glory  again." 


On  motion,  the  resolutions  were  adopted  unanimously,  the 
report  was  accepted,  and  the  House  adjourned. 


00032727050 

FOR  USE  ONLY  IN 
THE  NORTH  CAROLINA  COLLECTION 


Ill 


